Alastor hummed as he strolled through Cannibal Town, waving hello to the various citizens, flinching as most of them either ignored him or gave him a scowl. "Huh… peculiar." Alastor shrugged and just moved on, doing his best to ignore the chill he got as a couple of ladies eyed him with disdain when he arrived at Rosie's Emporium.
As Alastor entered, he spotted Angel chatting with Rosie. The red-clad overlord's eyes widened as Angel reached into his chest fluff and pull out a slip of paper; Rosie's eyes widened with glee as she took the paper and read what was scrawled on it, letting out an excited squeal and bouncing on her heels. "Oh my goodness, is this real?"
"Yep," Angel nodded, "Husk wanted to call you himself, but… well, let's just say he's been going through some shit, so I'm helping him out wherever I can." "Oh, poor thing." Rosie tutted, "Well, in any case, you can definitely count me in. It's been too damn long since I saw Hazel and I'm dying to catch up. Oh, that reminds me, I've got to see what I can scrounge up for a gift for the baby shower. I just hope I'll be able to get off in time to attend."
"Well, whatever you decide to do for the baby shower, I hope you'll at least be able to make the birthday party." Angel shrugged, "I know that it'd mean a hell of a lot to Hazel. And… to Husk, too." Rosie smiled and nodded, giving Angel a little hug before the spider turned on his heels, waved goodbye and walked off.
"So this is cannibal central, huh?" Angel said to himself as he took a look around, "It's… actually pretty nice in here. You know, aside from all the severed limbs." "Hello, Angel Dust." Alastor greeted, earning a startled yelp from Angel. "Whoa! Uh… hey, Al. What're you doing here? Picking up some… Rack of Dan?"
"Hahaha, very funny." Alastor said with a mock laugh, "I had a few errands to run here in town. Husker told me that he had a package to pick up over at Bébé's, and since he's busy picking up supplies for the hotel, I agreed to do him a favor and grab his… whatever it is while I was here." "Uh-huh… okay," Angel droned, "Whatever you say, Smiles."
Angel smirked at seeing Alastor's face twitch in frustration, bidding the deer demon goodbye before strutting out of the emporium with a chuckle. Alastor groaned, rolling his eyes before turning his attention back to Rosie. As Alastor trotted over to Rosie, Bernadette spotted Alastor as he approached and ran over to Rosie and whispered something into her ear before dashing away.
"Ah, Rosie," Alastor greeted, "How are you this fine day?" "Alastor," Rosie said crossing her arms, "Can I help you?" Alastor leaned over on the desk and smiled, giving a soft hum and said, "Are we still doing this, Rosie? I've already apologized; what more do you need me to do?" Rosie arched a brow and said, "Have you made up with Husker?"
Alastor rested his hand on his chin, thinking of the best response for a moment and said, "Define 'made up'?" "I think we're done here." Rosie said as she stood up. "Rosie, please wait," Alastor pleaded, "I didn't come here to bother you." Rosie turned back at Alastor and looked at him with her arms crossed, raising a curious brow as Alastor continued, "I came to ask a favor. Not for me… but for Husker. And for Hazel."
"Hazel?" Rosie asked, "Why? What's wrong? Are they alright?" Rosie asked worriedly, "Wait, where is Husker?" "Off on an unrelated escapade, I'm afraid. But… you already knew that, right?" Alastor whispered, earning a flustered scoff from Rosie, "However, he did ask me to send you his regards. Rosie, please," Alastor pleaded quietly, "Just… hear me out." Rosie narrowed her eyes, signaling for Alastor to follow her before leading him up to her private office and sat down at her desk. Alastor sat down in the chair and watched as Rosie pulled out a little egg timer, winding it up and putting it on the desk, saying, "You have five minutes. Speak."
"Is this truly necessary?" Alastor asked. "I could just have you leave now," Rosie shrugged, "Your choice, Alastor." Alastor groaned, shaking his head and said, "I wanted to… ask for the photograph… of you and Husker back." Rosie's eyes widened in shock, reaching over and canceling the timer as she said, "Excuse me? You nearly killed Husker over the thing! The only reason he gave it to me is because he was terrified of you after what you did to him. Why the fuck would I give it to you after what you put him through? What you put us through!?"
"To try and make up for what I've done." Alastor sighed, rubbing his face as he continued, "I was… wrong to act the way I did; to treat Husker, and you, the way I did. Whether I like it or not, the fact is… yours and Husker's history together is nobody's business but your own. I overreacted, to say the least. Husker deserves to have his memories… and his dignity. I want him to have it back."
"Are you sure, Alastor?" Rosie asked bluntly, "I mean, if the last few decades of him keeping his mouth shut after breaking up with me isn't enough to convince you there's good in him, than I just don't," "Husker… broke up… with you?" Rosie nodded, giving a sigh and smiled, saying, "He didn't like what the rumor mills were spewing. People constantly trying to find a scandal where there just… wasn't one. We both knew he'd be fine, but I… I guess he was more worried about what the rumors themselves could do to my reputation and my business." Alastor's eyes widened in surprise as Rosie continued, "Husker broke up with me… out of love, Alastor. And I know for a fact that it broke him to do it. He even offered to burn that photograph; to ensure our secret would stay our secret forever. But I told him to keep it. For the memories it held for the both of us."
Alastor took a deep breath, letting it out slowly and nodded. "Perhaps I had been a bit… quick to judge." Alastor admitted, "Satan knows nobody down here is exactly perfect. After all, they probably wouldn't be here if they were." "Uh-huh," Rosie nodded, "So, will you be able to give the photo back to Husker yourself, or should I give it back to him?"
"No, no, I can do it," Alastor assured, "I promise, I'll make sure it gets back to him safe and sound." "And… when you do give it back to him?" Rosie asked, giving Alastor a firm, expectant look. Alastor gave a relenting sigh and nodded, saying, "Very well. I will… ugh… apologize to him."